but they want it separated from debt ceiling. >> let's talk about this debt ceiling thing, howard. do you think the press objectively can report the way the president tried to sell it, which is if this government can't pay its debts, refuses to pay it because of the debt ceiling, is that the republican decision or is it going to be played, conflict in washington, gridlock, both parties to blame? >> well, the president said in the press conference i think people will blame all of washington, but he didn't mean it. and he doesn't believe it. he thinks, and i think rightly thinks, that the political onus will be on the republicans. the president said we aren't a deadbeat nation, which is one of many great quotes in that press conference. >> i like that word, deadbeat. >> we aren't a deadbeat nation, and he said the republicans will turn us into a deadbeat nation if they do what they're threatening -- >> if somebody else objects to the question, if there's a different answer, i'll accept it. did the democrats ever play the game of not paying the bills of the united states government as